ABY, JOE C., “Hoffenstein,” born 1858. A humorist who made his reputation on the _New Orleans Times-Democrat_. His “Hoffenstein” sketches have been issued in book form. ADAMS, CHARLES FOLLEN (1842). “Leedle Yawcob Strauss,” a short poem bubbling over with quiet, kindly, pathetic humour, given in quaint German-American vernacular, first brought Mr. Adams before the public. “Leedle Yawcob Strauss” has been followed by many sunny pieces in similar dialect. Mr. Adams has published _Leedle Yawcob Strauss and other Poems_, _Dialect Ballads_, etc. ADAMS, JOHN QUINCY (1767-1848), sixth President of the United States, first attracted public attention by his writings, and principally on account of his pen he was appointed to many honourable posts by President George Washington. He wrote a number of humorous pieces of verse, the most popular being “The Plague in the Forest” and “The Wants of Man.” ALCOTT, LOUISA MAY (1832-1888). Author of _Little Women_, _Little Men_, _Moods_, _An Old-Fashioned Girl_, _Eight Cousins_, etc. Most popular with the young people of America and Great Britain. ALDEN, WILLIAM L., born 1837. Author of _Domestic Explosives_, _Shooting Stars_, _Moral Pirates_, _A Lost Soul_ (Chatto & Windus), and a host of volumes of facetious short stories. He was admitted to the bar, but took to journalism; made himself famous as the “fifth-column man” on the _New York Times_; was appointed consul-general at Rome, the king decorating him with the cross of Chevalier of the “Crown of Italy” at the end of his consulship. He introduced canoeing as a pastime into the United States, and founded the first canoe club. He is now (1893) writing humorous “stories” for the _Idler_ and other English publications, and his work has lost none of his old-time flavour. ALDRICH, THOMAS BAILEY, born 1837. Mr. Aldrich, who for many years was looked upon as one of the most promising younger writers of America, has now attained the first rank in American poetry. His first great success was the _Ballad of Babie Bell_, published in 1856, and this induced him to adopt literature as a profession. In March 1881 he was appointed editor of the _Atlantic Monthly_. Since _Babie Bell_ appeared he has given to the public much work of a high order. _Pampinea and other Poems_, 1861; _Poems_ (two collections), 1863 and 1865; _Cloth of Gold_, 1874; _Flower and Thorn_, 1876; _Lyrics and Sonnets_, 1880, in verse; and _Marjorie Daw and other People_, 1873; _Prudence Palfrey_, 1874; _The Stillwater Tragedy_, 1880; _Mercedes_, 1883, in prose, are well known in Great Britain and America. Messrs. Macmillan & Co. publish his works in England, and Houghton, Mifflin, & Co. in America.